On Poinsettias

Congress chose December 12 in remembrance of former ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, a native South Carolinian who popularized the colorful bracts (another way to say "modified leaves.") Poinsett died on Dec. 12, 1851. Poinsettias (also known as poinsettas -- no "i") have become the quintessential Christmas plant. For me, a poinsetta says that Christmas is coming. (I leave out the "i").

If you have a young child in your life, you can shareLegend of the Poinsettia by Tomie DePaola. It is available in the Children's rooms at some of our branch libraries. The call number is J 398.24 DEP.

The photo of the poinsettia was taken in our 2nd floor gallery, currently hosting the Photography Club of Beaufort's show “Celebration of American Music.” The gallery will be open 9 am until 5 pm most weekdays until January 30th.

Grace Cordial has been responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Beaufort District Collection at the Beaufort County Library since 1999. The Beaufort District Collection exists to acquire, preserve, maintain and make accessible a research collection of permanent value which records the history, culture, and environment of our part of the South Carolina lowcountry. Besides the research room, Cordial manages the “Virtual BDC:” the BDC web pages, the Online Obituary Index, two digital collections, a new BDC.BCL Facebook page, and the Connections blog.

Among her duties is to coordinate or present programs about local history, Gullah culture, and our coastal environment, including occasional instructional sessions about how to perform historical and/or genealogical research.